Having a Bronchoscopy

[Mogiemo]

I am due to have a Bronchoscopy next week and am feeling quite anxious. Not sure whether I will be having some sedation (I haven’t had any kind of sedation in the past). Also what side affects after the procedure. I am quite new to this forum and not posted before. I have ILD and Bronchiectasis, also had treatment for Non-Hodgkinsons Lymphoma 2 years ago which caused the ILD. I am really dreading this procedure and hoping someone can help me.

[CDPO16]

Hi, I had a bronchoscopy a few years ago and the anticipation was worse than the procedure. I had what they call waking sedation which is an intravenous injection intended to make you feel sleepy and relaxed. The back of the throat is sprayed with a local anaesthetic before the bronchoscope is passed and I didn't feel a thing. A nurse will be by your side throughout and you will be closely monitored too. Afterwards I felt fine, a little croaky but this soon eased, no sore throat. You will likely be wheeled on the trolley to a recovery area while the sedation wears off and closely monitored again to ensure all is well before you are allowed to go. In my case, the consultant came to see me before I left the unit to explain what his findings were.

[Rattle in reply to CDPO16]

That sounds just the same as my bronchoscopy experience, about 3 years ago.Felt anxious before but it was all very safe & well looked after.

[Snackjack in reply to CDPO16]

That sounds just like my Bronchoscopy 5 years ago. I was very anxious before the procedure but with the sedation, whilst I was aware of what was going on, seemed to be over quite quickly and didn't feel anything. I think it is natural to feel anxious before any procedure you have for the first time. xx

[Oshgosh]

I had a Bronchoscopy,I was frightened.I had sedation,it wasnt a problem,and I’m the biggest coward.tell the staff you are very nervous..

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hope all goes well please let us know how you get on have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Hidden]

I’d definitely refuse to have it without sedation! Just say “No”. It’s your body, you’re in charge. A bronchoscopy is on the cards for me & I’m very reluctant. I know I’d panic without sedation, so it’s much easier for them to give me something.

I’m at the Brompton & they don’t do bronchoscopies unless really necessary, so if they say I need it I’ll go with it, but anything which interferes with my breathing freaks me out.

[Oshgosh in reply to Hidden]

I agree,I had the sedation for Bronchoscopy.It was ok.I’m the world’s biggest coward,the staff were very kind x

[Moon-calm]

Mogiemo I had a bronchoscopy under general anesthetic and it went well…worth doing as the procedure provided useful information for my specialist. Hope you feel more confident to request what’s right for you.

[Hidden]

I have a bronch yearly and I always request sedation . I think the lead up to the procedure is always worse but someone is without throughout the entire process. They usually put you in the recovery room until you come round and give you a thorough checkover before letting you go , although I have to stay overnight as I have history.

[Mogiemo in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much to everyone for your comments and advice, I feel a bit more optimistic about things now, it’s good to hear from people who have experienced having a Bronchoscopy and I will let you know how I get on.

[Alberta56]

I had a bronchoscopy 2 years ago. i was worried sick about it, ( much worse than when I had a heart bypass) .In the event the staff were very calm and nice. They put me out and the next thing I knew I was awake, and alive, and it was done. I didn't even have a sore throat. Good luck- I hope your procedure goes as well.

[Catlover432]

I agree with CDPO16 the anticipation is much worse. I’ve never heard of it being done without sedation, but maybe somplaces do. I was terrified, I was really I’ll at the time but it wasn’t bad at all with sedation and pain relief

[Yousaok]

Yep me to got in such a state 2 weeks ago had lung washed and to see if lungs could cope with new meds

You fill out forms take your top clothes off put on a gown doctors nurses could not help enough

Going the room by then shaking can't stop spray your throat numb and again then they inject you the rest don't remembered what the did or for how long I was their for also felt nothing while they were doing it

its seems like a few minutes

you then go into a recovery room and home and felt nothing after

[Mogiemo in reply to Yousaok]

Thank you so much for your reply Yousaok, I feel so much calmer about it now. Reading a leaflet about the procedure isn’t the same as hearing about it from personal experience. Glad things went well for you, hope it’s the same for me!

[Hazel1010]

Hello , I personally haven’t had this but my son in law who bless his heart is the biggest baby going x sailed through 3 of these last year , he said the staff were lovely and he was sedated and didn’t know a thing about it at Bristol Royal infirmary so my fingers are crossed for you too .All the best x

[Mogiemo]

Thank you Hazel, it’s good to know other peoples experience, I am so glad we can share our worries on this forum, I feel so much better about having this procedure now. Thank you to everyone.

[m0bnd]

Hi. I had this in Southampton, I wasn’t too bad before. During and after I was absolutely fine! I watched and saw everything and was fine with it all. I don’t like the sight of needles so this was a concern for me before hand. I had the sedation and was told it should have been near on impossible to remember! My very lasting memory was when I was told they were done with me and the speed at which the camera came out! 😂 😮 no hesitation at all!I hope this helps a bit and wish you the best for your procedure.

Andy.

[Hidden]

I had that done but with sedation i was nervous but you dont feel a thing. I have asthma too so they monitored me. There was 2 nurses and a doctor in the room. They were all great. If your worried ask to speak to them before the procedure. X hope this helps.

[Trevorio]

Hi, I had to have a bronchoscopy last year for a partially collapsed lung. They didn’t sedate me because I have another condition which requires an anaesthetist to be present nd they didnt have one . I found the nose and throat spray the worst bit as it was banana flavoured and I hate bananas!it was all completely painless and over very quickly, nurses were very reassuring throughout . It actually cleared out a plug of mucus that was the cause of the blocked lung so my lung reinflated afterwards. As I wasn’t sedated I was able to recover quickly and went home after half an hour.

[katieoxo60]

I have had more than one of these proceedures, and agree the waiting is worse than the proceedure. It is normally standard to give some sedation but you are highly monitored and as I was told as soon as I was able to drink a cup of tea I could go home with transport of course. I don't even remember the tube being put in my mouth. It is usual to be followed up in case there are any concerns . Best wishes that all goes well.

[Evine]

I would definitely push for sedation. I didn’t really know what I was going in for (in-patient and naive) and so didn’t have anything other than the numbing spray so it was painful and traumatic. Even now - 6 years later - I painfully recall how horrible the experience was and even feel angry that sedation wasn’t even suggested. I only found out sedation was a possibility when I saw a tv show where they did the procedure under general anaesthetic! There were no physical after effects but I was told that every few minutes I had to take a really deep breath in and hold it to help heal the lungs. If they don’t sedate then don’t have it done. Hope it all goes well x

[HDxlch]

I had mine last summer and had the throat spray. I was absolutely fine and watching it on the screen was fascinating. What I was seeing was explained throughout amazing! A big thank you and well done to QA Hospital Portsmouth.

[Jojoclown]

Hello Mogiemo,

I have had what your having soon about 4 months ago. Mine was check for ulcers and had duodenal ulcer. I'm fine though now had another check up and camara down again December 2021. All that happens a needle goes in your hand and they put injection fluid to make you a bit drowsy and relaxed I remember nurse talking to me but don't remember what we were talking about as the drug makes you not feel a thing and next thing is your wide awake on ward and they fetch tea and biscuits and make sure you can have a wee before they let you go. Best thing and drug relaxer ever. I'm a very anxious and nervous person and very low pain threshold, so I think you will be fine and they will look after you. If I've had it twice now and you will thick after it what was I worried about lol. It's nothing from what had in march 2021 when diagnosed with lung cancer I was very frightened but thankfully April 2021 they took all of top lung out and no more cancer so a little thing like camara down any throat is nothing to the pain and recovery of a lung operation. You will be ok for definitely. Please let me know how you get on. Take care thinking of you. JoJo Clown.

[Mogiemo in reply to Jojoclown]

Hi Jojoclown Thank you for you thoughts on having the Bronchoscopy which all helps in making me feel less anxious. Sounds like you have been through a lot with the lung cancer but glad to hear you are better and making a full recovery. I really feel for you as I also had cancer 2 years ago. I will let you know how I get on Friday.

[Mogiemo in reply to Jojoclown]

Hi JojoclownHad my Bronchoscopy this morning, everything went well. I didn’t feel too anxious as my appointment was 8.30am so didn’t have much time to think about things. I only had a small amount of sedation but the nurse said if I was uncomfortable I could have more. They were all very kind and felt well looked after. I remembered everything afterwards, didn’t feel woozy at all. Had a cup of tea and biscuits and wondered why I’d spent two weeks dreading having it! Thank you for your comments, it was a comfort to know your experience of having the Bronchoscopy.

[Colisada]

My personnel option would be to have sedation I had an endoscopy last year and I was fine so me being me I can do this attitude decides not to have sedation for my bronchoscopy against the advice of nurses they put me a candula in just in case I changed my mind even when I went in for the procedure the doc asked if I wanted to change my mind and stubborn me said no he couldn’t get up my nose because it was so narrow so he went the only other way down my throat and it wasn’t a very nice experience the doc even apologised because he wanted to get it over and done with I was on the ward with the other patients as long as the others that had sedation because my oxygen levels needed to be up even tho I don’t like being sedated I think would opt for it next time hopefully there isn’t one but who knows in the world of bronchiectasis I was anxious, the whole procedure was a blur I think it lasted about 15 mins there was plenty of nurses to hold my hand 😊 good luck when your through it you’ll wonder what you were anxious about ❤️

[Debs_ALUK Partner British Lung Foundation]

Hello Mogiemo

I have added a link for you below to our website information you may find useful. It explains what happens during the bronchoscopy and how to prepare.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Take care

Debs